At the close of the job, ask your stair builder to show you the completed work and talk with you about what they did. Find out about any care instructions for your new stairs or handrails, and compare the final invoice with the work that was done and with the original contract. This is the time to ask any questions you might have about work, fees, materials, or warranties.

The invoice from your Alameda County staircase builder or custom stair contractor should include the following:

• The stair contractor’s name, physical address and state license number.
• A complete list of all work performed.
• An itemized list of all materials used.
• The total cost for the services, including the itemized amount charged for labor.
• A written explanation of any warranties or guarantees provided by the product manufacturers and the contractors.

Written guarantees and warranty documents protect you and your contractor. They should clearly state what’s under warranty, for how long, what will happen if the warranty needs to be used, and who will take care of the problem.

Not all stair contractors in San Leandro, Berkeley, Hayward, Fremont, Oakland and the rest of Alameda County guarantee their work, but those that do should be proud to offer written warranties that include the following items:

• The Alameda County stair builder’s name, physical address, and state license number.

• A description of what exactly the warranty covers. This should include whether the contractor will repair or replace faulty materials or poor workmanship.
• Any exclusions must be explicitly stated.
• Your responsibility in the case of a problem and what you need to do in order to redeem the warranty.
• How long the warranty is valid, and whether it expires on a specific day or is prorated (if the warranty coverage and amount owed for repair or replacement diminishes over time).
• If the warranty coverage is transferable to the new owner if you sell the home or building in which the new staircase was installed or the repairs were done.
• Any actions on your part that may invalidate the warranty.

Remember that a warranty is only as good as the company that provides it. That’s why it’s important to choose a reliable, trustworthy, solvent company that’s known for good work and good value. If a company fails or goes out of business, their warranty coverage is no longer good and you will be stuck without protection if something goes wrong. That’s why the savviest consumers choose companies based on value and quality rather than price alone.

Stair Railing Installation and Repair
Stair handrails may need to be repaired, replaced, or newly installed. Stair railing installation may take place in conjunction with new stairs, or when a new look or additional safety measures are required. Stair handrailing repair is possible for wobbly handrails, damaged stair handrails, damaged stair posts and newel posts, and more.

New Stair Banisters and Stair Banister Repair
Stair banisters, also known as balustrades or stair rails, are entire stair railing systems including handrails, balusters, newel posts, and tread caps. Banisters and stair guard rails protect people and pets using stairs, staircases, and balconies. They may be installed as part of a new stair system, updated to change the look and feel of the staircase or balcony, or repaired.

Custom Wood Stairs
Custom wood stair cases, stairways, stairwells, and steps include hardwood stairs such as oak, maple, cherry, Brazilian cherry, hickory, and more. Wood stairs are popular in buildings of many different styles, and the variety of custom wood applications and types of wood means most good custom staircase builders in Oakland, Dublin, Fremont, Newark, Hayward and throughout Alameda County can create beautiful designs to fit in any home or business.

Stair Baluster Replacement and Installation
New stair balusters and replacement balusters can update the look of an existing staircase or balcony and can make a room and home look fresh and inviting. Balusters, stair rails, banisters, and railings all work together to provide a combination of form and function—keeping staircase users safe while improving the appearance of the home or business.

Custom Spiral Staircases
New spiral staircases, including circular staircases, custom spiral staircases, helix and double-helix staircases, and more can be designed, fabricated, built, and installed by Alameda County staircase contractors. These staircases are unique because they curve in a circular pattern and often have a much smaller footprint than traditional staircases. Custom spiral stairs may be fabricated from wood, metal, wrought iron, or a combination of materials to match the home or business and design esthetic chosen by the property owners.

Staircase Design Services in Alameda County
Not all staircase contractors offer staircase design services. Some merely fabricate and/or install new staircases. However, some stair builders in Alameda County, including those in Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, San Leandro, Alameda, Union City, Pleasanton, Newark, Dublin and other areas, design new staircases. If you want a custom staircase design, talk with the local stair companies near you about their design abilities and sensibilities.

Wrought Iron Staircases / Metal Stairs
Metal stair cases, including wrought iron staircases, are very popular in Alameda County and the Greater Bay Area. Wrought iron staircases are known for their wrought iron balusters, handrails, and spindles, in gothic style, scroll style, and others. Made of forged iron, they have a classic look that can also be very modern. In addition, metal stairs (including metal steps, metal handrails, metal and iron balustrades and guard rails) are very popular choices for homeowners and business owners because of the longevity and easy care of the materials.

Staircase Repairs
Alameda County staircase contractors can often provide staircase repairs, including stair step repairs, handrail repairs, baluster repair and replacement, stair railing repairs, wobbly railing repairs, repair or replacement of squeaky steps, broken railing repair and replacement, spindle repair, broken step replacement and repairs, newel post repairs, and more. If your staircase is damaged and needs repair, talk with local Alameda County stair builders near you to see if they’re able to offer the stair repairs you need.

Stair Parts and Accessories
Many Alameda County stair companies can provide stair parts and accessories, including stair treads, handrails, handrail fittings, handrail brackets, stair hardware, custom stair accessories, newel posts, newel post finials, turned newels, box newel posts, wood balusters, metal balusters and handrails, shoe moulding, stair nosing, skirtboards, cable railing systems, and more.

Stair Post Design and Installation
Newel posts, also known as stair posts, are the larger support posts located at the ends of staircases and at main junctures. Newel posts are also typically decorative pieces with finials. Stair newel posts come in custom styles and several main styles, including box newels, turned newel posts, standard newels, pin-top newel posts, stabilizer newel stair posts, and more. Newel posts may be custom designed and fabricated or purchased and installed by Alameda County stair builders.

balcony
An opening in an upper level wall that looks down on a lower level of the home or building. Most balconies require a balustrade or banister to serve as a guardrail and prevent people and items from falling from the balcony.

Also known as: staircase balcony

balusters
Turned or carved vertical columns that support handrails along stairs and balconies.

Also known as: spindles, banisters

banister
Banisters, also known as balustrades or stair rails, are railing systems including handrails, balusters, newel posts, and tread caps. Banisters are stair guard rails that protect people and pets using stairs, staircases, and balconies.

Also known as: banister system, balustrade, railing system, stair rail system, safety rail systems, stair banisters

bracketed handrail
Wall-mounted handrails on stair cases are known as bracketed handrails because they are bracketed to the wall.

Also known as: wall-mount handrail brackets, wall-bracketed handrails

circular staircase
Any staircase that is formed in a circular shape (either a full circle like a spiral staircase or a partial circle like an S-curve staircase, snake staircase, or curved stairs) are known as circular staircases. Some building codes define circular staircases and spiral staircases separately in terms of code requirements.

Also known as: spiral staircases, s-curve staircases, curved staircases, circle stairs

double-helix staircase
A double-helix staircase is a spiral staircase that is supported by helical stringers, which are the housing on either or both sides of the stairs and to which the stair treads are connected. Double-helix staircases have two helixes, or spirals, wrapped around each other for a double-helix appearance.

Also known as: double-helical stairway, helix staircase

finial
Finials are ornamental caps placed at the top of newel posts. Staircase finials can be carved, turned, ornate, simple, made of the same material as the newel post, or a novelty finial (such as stone, metal, glass, crystal, or antique finial).

Also known as: newel post cap, staircase post finial, stair post cap, decorative finials, screw-on finials, antique finials, carved finials, wood staircase finials, metal stair rail finials, brass finials, architectural salvage finals

flight of stairs
An uninterrupted series of steps is considered a flight of stairs. Homes and buildings with more than one floor will have one or more flights of stairs leading from one floor to another.

Also known as: stair flight, flights of stairs

free-floating stairs
Staircases leading from one floor to another without supports such as walls or columns between them are considered free-floating stairs. Modern staircases coming directly from the wall and without visible stringers or other supports are free standing stairs.

Also known as: freestanding stairs, freestanding staircases, independent stairs, free staircase, modern staircases

guardrail
Guardrails are balusters or balustrades that prevent people and pets from falling into staircases and over balconies and similar open spaces.

Also known as: safety rail, safety railing, stair guardrails, balusters, balustrade, safety guardrail for stairs

handrail
The top section of a banister or balustrade that is meant to be held by a person using a staircase is known as a handrail. Handrails are added to stairs to add safety, comfort, and ease of use.

Also known as: stair handrail, wall-mounted handrails, post-mounted stair handrails

landing
Platforms between flights of stairs, usually between floors of a building, are known as landings. These are often found where flights of stairs turn, with one flight of stairs coming up to the landing on one side and another flight of stairs exiting the landing in an opposite direction.

Also known as: stair landing, staircase landing

newel post
Newel posts are larger columns placed at the beginning, end, and middle sections of staircase handrails. Most newel posts are placed at the beginning, end, turns, and other areas of a staircase where the handrail needs extra support for safety and appearance. Newel posts may be plain or decorative and often have finials that add to the style of the structure.

Also known as: stair case column, staircase post, stair post, handrail post, decorative newel post.

rise
Rise is the vertical height of each step and, when referring to the rise of the entire staircase, the full vertical height of the staircase.

Also known as: stair rise, step rise, staircase rise, stair height

run
The horizontal dimensions of a staircase is considered the staircase run. Each step, or tread run, contributes to the overall run of the stairs.

Also known as: staircase run, step run, run of stairs

starting step
Some staircases have a starting step that is a decorative first step. These often have a larger tread or decorative front section that hangs out farther than that of other stairs.

Also known as: decorative starting step, decorative step, beginning stair step

tread
The horizontal section of a staircase step where users place their feet are known as treads. Staircase treads can be made of wood, hardwood, metal, or other materials, and they can be carpeted, painted, finished hardwood, capped, tiled, or otherwise decorated.

Also known as: step, stair step, stair tread, wood stair treads, metal stair treads, free-floating stair treads

wall-mounted railing
Handrails that are attached to a wall by metal or wood brackets, known as wall-mounting brackets or wall-mounted brackets, are wall-mounted railings.

Also known as: wall-mount railing, wall-mounted rails, wall mounted handrails, wall mounted stair rails

Q: Why choose among Diamond Certified stair contractors?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a stair building company with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only stair contractors rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified stair contractor.

Q: Do local stair contractors provide free estimates?
A: Most stair builders and staircase contractors will provide free estimates based on your needs, wants, and specifics of your job. Other stair builders offer estimates and will refund the cost of the estimate if you decide to hire their company, and still others will charge a fee for estimates to cover their costs. Talk with your preferred stair builder about their policy on estimates. One thing you should consider is that estimates—whether free or as part of billable hours—are only as good as the estimator and their methods. Most of the best stair companies will insist on coming to your home or business to see the job site, measure the area, talk with you about your preferred style and materials, and provide an in-person estimate. Estimates over the phone can be helpful in giving you a ballpark range of cost for your project, but they are rarely as reliable as in-person estimates and bids.

Q: At what phase of the project should I reach out to local stair companies?
A: Most stair case companies recommend getting them onboard as soon as you know you’re going to be undergoing a building project or remodeling, replacing, or repairing your stairs or staircase. Some local stair builders can provide design and implementation, while others can work from designs created by architects or other planners. It’s wise to research, interview, and hire a staircase contractor early in the process so they can be part of the entire job from beginning to end.

Q: Can staircase builders design and fabricate the stairs they’ll be installing?
A: That depends on the staircase building contractors you hire. Some are able and equipped to design and fabricate new stairs, steps, and entire staircases. Others can implement others’ designs (those created by an architect or designer). Likewise, depending on their abilities and skill set, some staircase builders can fabricate custom stairs, handrails, and entire staircases, while other companies use materials manufactured by others to build and install stairs and staircases. If a custom designed, hand-fabricated staircase is important to you, you’ll want to add those capabilities to your wish list and include it in the interview questions you ask while searching for the best staircase builder for your job.

Q: What materials can I choose from when planning my custom staircase?
A: New stairs, staircases, and stair handrailings are available in a wide variety of materials, including wood, hardwoods, metal, steel, wrought iron, stone, polymers, plexiglass, and more. Wood staircases are available in many kinds of wood, including oak, maple, cherry, Brazilian cherry, hickory, and more. Talk with your staircase contractor about the materials they have available and what they recommend for the style you desire and the current look of your home.

Q: How long will I have to wait for my new stairs?
A: Most good stair builders have a lead time of a few weeks to a few months. There aren’t many qualified staircase contractors, so those who have a good reputation in the community and do the best work may not be able to start your project immediately. You will also need to consider the project. If you are having custom stairs designed, built, and installed, it can take several weeks to months to complete the project from beginning to end. Likewise, if the staircase you’re having installed uses unique or hard-to-find materials, it may take longer for the materials to become available or to arrive once ordered. Talk with your stair builder about your specific project for a timeline based on their availability and your needs.

Q: Do custom staircase builders also provide staircase, step, and handrailing repairs?
A: Most staircase contractors also offer repairs for steps, stairs, handrailings, newel posts, balusters and more. Talk with your contractor about repairs you need now and whether they’ll be able to help you in the future should your new custom staircase need repairs or refinishing.

Q: Can I get a new stair railing even if I’m not replacing my current stairs?
A: Absolutely. Stair railings often need to be replaced long before steps and staircases, so it’s common to add a new stair railing to an existing set of stairs. New stair hand railings can change the look of stairs, add safety and ease of use, and have other perks. Some companies can also offer new stair treads, newel posts, hand rail posts, balusters and balustrades, guard rails, and other features to update or change the look of stair cases.

Q: Will I have to move out of my home while my stairs are being built or repaired?
A: That depends on you, your needs, and your home. Many stair contractors are able to build and repair stair cases, handrails, and other features while you are still in your home. As long as the job site isn’t hazardous and there is a way for you to access necessary rooms in your house, it probably won’t be necessary for you to move out of your home for the duration of the job. Good contractors may also have ways to remodel, repair, or replace the stairs in your home in sections so the entire staircase isn’t torn out all at once or for long periods of time. If you’re planning to have major repairs or rebuilding done on your staircase, talk with your contractor about whether you’ll be able to stay in your home during the work and see if there is a way for them to accommodate your needs safely and without sacrificing the quality or timelines sof the job.